What's New with Brydon Thomason

Shetland - Summer Season Roundup

Added 10/10/2012 to General News

Just added a great new blog to the 'Members Zone' from Brydon Thomason.

Snippet below....

Birding In Shetland - A rarity finding round up of 2011

Added 06/04/2012 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

From a birding perspective there is a magical air of aspiration and eager anticipation that fuels my optimism throughout the year. Arguably there is nowhere better in the British Isles for finding your own rarities, which can happen at any time of year and often under any circumstance.

Red-Throated Diver

Added 14/08/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

Firstly I must apologise for my absence of postings over the summer months. But let’s be honest, in the land of the ‘simmer-dim’ and all its wild riches who has the time to sit indoors at a computer?! The more day light there is, the longer you want to be out in the field!

Shetland is renowned for harbouring many nationally rare species of breeding birds, some of which are amongst the nations rarest. Species such as Merlin, Whimbrel, Red-necked phalarope and Red-throated diver are classed as ‘schedule 1’ birds and are protected by law and a license is required to photograph them on their breeding grounds....

A Passion For Puffins

Added 05/06/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

It is little wonder that the Atlantic Puffin is one of the most popular, admired and even adored species of bird in Britain and even perhaps beyond. For a would-be admirer and or observer the ‘Tamie Norrie’, as we call them here in Shetland really does have it all; charisma, beauty and better still they are notoriously obliging and also confiding!....

Bearded Seal In The Shetland Isles

Added 01/05/2011 to General News

Well this exciting arrival from the Arctic illustrates just how exhilarating for a naturalist can be. Not even twelve months since Shetland’s last visit from this majestic Arctic sea mammal this beautiful beast was discovered in Baltasound on Unst....

The King Of Eiders

Added 01/03/2011 to General News

There can be few species of bird (let alone sea duck) as exquisite in appearance as a drake King Eider.

It is hard to find a word that describes just how strikingly ornate the head and bill pattern is on a fully mature adult but I guess with the title of King enough is said. It is indeed rather apt that their Latin name, spectabillis means remarkable!....

A Winter Of Waxwings?

Added 01/02/2011 to General News

Absolutely fabulous! Throughout late autumn, scores of Waxwings arrived from the far north eastern regions of Scandinavia and beyond. Arguably one of the most exotic looking species of bird to grace our islands, these berry eating beauties delighted Shetlanders from Saxa Vord to Sumburgh head.

Rough-legged Buzzard’s in Shetland

Added 01/02/2011 to General News

Three thrilling encounters in just four weeks…

With autumn and winters 2010/11’s influx of Rough-legged’s in Britain my enthusiasm to find one for myself was peaking and given there had been quite a few, was fairly sure I could be in with a chance. I had made several trips up the very rough track to Valla Field (a distinct advantage of driving a Freelander!) and Saxavord and other similar sites on Unst since late October as I figured they were fairly likely RLB sites although Snowy Owl and Gyr are also on my radar for these sites.